Jacqui Cleijne . Wildlife Artist

Common Wombat

Scientific name: Vombatus ursinus (=bear-like wombat)

The Common wombat is the size of a large, stocky dog. A ground living burrower, with a rounded outline, large head, naked nose and short ears. Brown to grey course fur. Similar species are Northern and Southern Hairy-nosed wombats are very rare, they have softer fur and hairy noses.

Found in Coastal ranges, forest and woodland from northeastern NSW to southeastern SA.
Habits: Night active and solitary. Several burrows will be dug in an area. Eats native grasses, shrubs, roots. Female carries one young in her rear-opening pouch for 6 months; it follows her for another 11 months.

Not protected in some areas of eastern Victoria. Major burrows may be up to 20cm long, with several chambers and entrances.

Tasmanian Devil

Scientific name: Sarcophilus harrisii ( = Harris's flesh eater)

Black scavenger with white markings on chest and rump. Looks like a medium sized bulky dog. Found all over Tasmania, especially in northeast.
Spends day in den and from dusk to dawn hunts for dead animals, insects, small mammals. The Devil can climb trees. 2-4 young are born in April, carried in rear-opening pouch for 16 weeks, then left in den. Their young go on their own after 40 weeks.
Largest living marsupial carnivore.
Lived on mainland until around 400 years ago. Group feeding at carcass may squabble loudly. The devil is not dangerous to humans or their animals.